SURRENDER!
Marcus Straight, SW Washington
Does The Holy Spirit have a place in contemporary America? He does if you believe in God. The Holy Spirit is part of the holy Trinity and was given to us as the comforter when Jesus ascended to heaven. In the life of Christians, there is a law at work which is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). When you submit to and apply this law in your life, the Holy Spirit can begin to manifest the fruit of the Spirit within you. (Romans 8:4).
As a Christian, you should seek the fruit of the Spirit, which is the nature of Jesus being produced within you. Scripture makes it clear that total surrender to Christ and His Word opens the way to the life of fruitfulness and spiritual productivity. In practical ways, you should put into action the admonition given in Ephesians 4:21-24: to rid yourself of all old deceitful desires, attitudes, practices, etc. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who works within you to present you blameless and holy unto the Lord.
"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper" (Psalms 1:3).
The fruit of the Spirit refers to the virtues of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility) and self-control. When you display irresponsible behavior, pride, expressions of enmity, lack of love, and other works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), you are lacking the fruit of the Spirit.
"But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Gal.
5:22,
23).
How awesome is that?
